ABC finally announced the official cast of Dancing with the Stars' eighth season, which will kick off with a two-hour performance episode on Monday, March 9 at 8pm ET/PT.  The names of the participants who will be hitting the dance floor this season were announced last night during an "All Night Name Drop" event in interstitials throughout the network's prime-time programming, which includes Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers and Sisters.

While past seasons have included race car drivers, singers, actors, reality TV stars, and a celebrity chef, this season has extended invitations to an eclectic mix of hopefuls as well, including an Olympic gymnast, a controversial stunt performer, and a Grammy Award-winning rapper, among others.  And just like season 7, the new season of Dancing with the Stars will feature 13 contestants, consisting of seven men and six women, who will be paired with professional dancers in attempt to win television's hit competitive reality series.

The Men

Chuck Wicks – A country singer who previously appeared on the reality series Nashville and is currently dating Julianne Hough, who is also a professional dancer and two-time champion on Dancing with the Stars.

Gilles Marini – The scene-stealing Dante who lived in a beach house next door to Kim Cattrall's character on the Sex and the City movie.

David Alan Grier – Actor and comedian who is perhaps best known for his work on the sketch comedy show In Living Color.  He is currently the host of the Comedy Central satirical program, Chocolate News.

Steve-O – The daredevil performer who catapulted to fame as the star of Jackass and Wildboyz.

Steve Wozniak – Philanthropist and co-founder of Apple Computer.

Ty Murray – An athlete who won the World All-Around Rodeo Champion title seven times (and Jewel's husband).

Lawrence Taylor – Widely regarded as the greatest defensive player in the history of the National Football League, Taylor led the New York Giants to two Super Bowl titles.


The Women

Belinda Carlisle – The lead vocalist and founding member of the all-female new wave band The Go-Go's.

Denise Richards – Actress who now stars on her own reality show, Denise Richards: It's Complicated.

Jewel – Country singer who has sold 27 million albums worldwide.

Lil' Kim - Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum rapper and singer who is also considered the first female rapper to reach the number 1 spot in the Billboard Hot 100 hit.

Nancy O'Dell - Entertainment journalist and co-host of Access Hollywood.

Shawn Johnson – The 2008 Olympic women's balance beam gold medalist, the individual all-around silver medalist, the 2007 all-around World Champion, and the 2007 and 2008 U.S. all-around champion.

What do you think about this season's cast?  Post your comments below!



Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: ABC
(Image courtesy of Wire Image)